First 22 Questions

[Chuck10]

Hey all,

Finally got my GPA to where i promised myself it should be, and as a reward i think its about time to purchase my first rifle. Following the advice of every post ive read, the 22 is the way to go, and i fully agree. However, in looking at all the 22 variants, i stumbled upon the "tactical" 22 lineup, such as the M&P 15-22 and the sig 522. These guns seemed interesting, and for the price (both around 450) i thought they might be a fun first rifle. However, several buddies from back home have the CZ lineup, including the 452 varmint and 455 American. I really have taken a liking to these 2 rifles. I like the reliability of a bolt action, as well as the superb accuracy they offer.

My primary uses for this rifle will be a LOT of plinking/range time, as well as some small game hunting. I have no idea if you can even consider hunting with the 15-22, but if so, i would love to here what you guys think of the idea. I really like both guns, and am completely torn, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot, and sorry for the long post
Chuck

 

[Sako Shooter]

I own 2 CZ 452s and a Sako Quad. For your needs, the CZ should do. If you want an upgrade go with the Sako, but it will be considerably more expensive and harder to locate IMO, but it is good to go out of the box.

 

[Frankl03]

+1 on the CZs. I have heard great things about them! Also for more info check out rimfire.com its a great forum.

I personally have a Sig 522. I put a Vorterx Strikefire on it. I mostly use it at the range. I would consider hunting with it, but have not.

Good luck.

I would look for a used gun and save a little money!

 

[MrBorland]

Call me an old fuddie, but for a first rifle, I'd recommend a bolt action with good iron sights and sling studs. Add quick release rings and a scope, and you've got the near perfect all-arounder, and will teach you a lot about shooting from field positions using iron sights and a scope. The CZ 452 Trainer fits this to a tee, and with a beech stock, is even the most affordable of the 452 line, which is a terrific line of rimfire rifles to begin with. Whittaker's carries it for $314. There used to be a trigger kit available for it, which I can highly recommend.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would suggest a semi-auto 22 rifle such as the Marlin Model 60 to start you out. The military looking 22 rifles are fun, but I wouldn't as a first rifle unless plinking is THE dominant use. Secondly, the CZ bolt 22's are great. I have one. However, one of these would not be my first choice if plinking, casual target shooting, and small game hunting are the primary reason to choose. Target shooting would have to be THE reason for choosing the bolt CZ 22. I would not buy a bolt action rifle as a first 22 unless it was for a young person (aka kid). A lever action might be a good choice as well as they are a lot of fun to shoot. The three best are Marlin 39A, Browning BL-22, and Henry.

CZ has brought out a semi-auto 22 that I have not handled yet and don't know much about. They use the same magazines as their bolt action 22's.

 

[bcp280z]

I see a few options,

My first rifle was a Rem 597, and I assume most people nowadays strat with that or the oh so popular/modular Ruger 10/22. They are fun, dead on accurate, but too me a little boring.

So perhaps get a good bolt/pump/lever, they add in the action so it's not just click,click,click bullseye,bullseye,bullseye. To each there own, I find actually using the action is more fun, kinda like shifting gears.

But say you did get a super cool BA looking AR in 22, they are just about as expensive as their more powerful counterparts and usually when you get into shooting you won't just have one gun, so you could save money and get one of the above formats then later upgrade/start your collection, or you could mod the hell out of it and hold on to it.

Some rifles in each of the formats, mainly the tubefed's and the single shots can fire a variety of ammo and that is also fun, 22 short,long, long rifle, magnum, versatility is good.

What ever you do do not get that new Mossberg plinkster with the Barret muzzle break, You'd be the laughing stock of the range.

 

[jleyring]

I would go with a Ruger 10/22. You can get 30 round mags and they are reliable as heck. They are $200 or less usually. Mount a scope on top and it works great for hunting small game.

 

[bigfatdave]

If I were just buying my first rifle and had made the very wise choice of starting out with something in .22lr ... I would be building a LTR for Appleseed or building a LTR for non-Appleseed uses. A 10/22, a bag-o-mags, tech-sights, a sling, and a big pile of ammo will probably come in around your $450 price for the wannabe AR15 guns.

Now, if you really want to have an AR15 trainer, then the rimfire versions have some merit. But unless you intend to devote all your resources into playing .mil with the AR platform, why bother?

But if you can't decide on an action type, how can you pick a gun?

 

[BCRider]

Bolt, lever or semi auto, whatever you do avoid the tactical stuff.

I've shot a few of them and frankly with a .22LR round coming out the end of them it's all bling and no bang. They tend to be both bulky and "warty" to hold and are often heavier than the equivalent base model rifle they are based on.

For a .22 "evil black rifle" I'd rather do my own or work with some non AR style stock kit. Then the final product is going to be more in line with what a .22 is actually like to shoot.

A really nice middle ground option to a bolt gun would be one of the Henry lever rifles. I got one a short time back and I'm very happily surprised at how well it feels and cycle and how it makes me look better than I think I am.

If you decide to go bolt at least look at the Savage lineup. In particular the offerings with the the target bull barrels and accu-triggers. I've had the chance to shoot a couple of these and they really do deliver well. Even rested I felt like the gun was still better than me.

In the end you'll buy what you want and you'll be happy enough with it. But before you leap also look around at what sort of rimfire events are being shot by the local clubs. Having some options for some fun competitions could be the icing on the cake if you get one that fits with what is happening and that also suits your own feelings of what you want to get.

 

[Chuck10]

Thanks everyone

Thanks a lot for the quick replies everyone. After reading this, I am set on a CZ or possibly the savage 93 (but really the CZ is my first choice). I am liking the 455 American, both for the aesthetics as well as its highly praised accuracy. From what i read on rimfirecentral, the 455 seems to be a 452 with a view minor improvements, a non-threaded barrel, and the option to change between calibers. For me, the barrel change option is a big seller. this will probably be my only gun for the next couple years (wont have the money for another) and i really like the idea of plinking with the 22 and then switching to the 17 during hunting season. Let me know what you guys think of the 455, and if you agree with my decision to go with the CZ 455 American as my first rifle.

Thanks a lot
Chuck